Art & Crafts — Homemade Holiday Ornaments (in a Nutshell)
Buy some whole walnuts and keep the half-shells for the most adorable little wintry ornaments to hang on Hanukkah displays or Christmas trees. In the years that come, your kids will look back on making these little dioramas and ornaments and cherish the family memories. They can find inspiration from a favorite memory or a special event or moment with a friend they miss this year. Make it a challenge by using only what they can find in the house or yard. Use remnants from old projects — beads, glitter, ribbon or fabric fragments. These half-shells are the perfect size for little hands as they concentrate on their special creation. They’ll be excited and proud to hang it for everyone to see!
Another fun use of walnut half-shells is to make tea lights. You can make them for your own household display or use them as gifts this holiday season. Your kids can help decorate the shells, and after you melt and pour your fragrant wax with wicks, you can package them in fours or sixes and set them in tissue paper in colorful boxes.
Since you are going to need those shells, how about making a walnut treat for your crafters? They’ll love these no-bake Walnut Chocolate Bliss Balls, made with vanilla and sweetened with dates, coconut and cacao.
Baked Yumminess
This is where walnuts really shine — in baking! And baking a fresh batch of yumminess is always a family-favorite activity during the holiday season.
If your kids are chocolate fanatics, these Chocolate Walnut Hedgehog Cookies look and taste like they came from the best bakery. And your kids will have a blast decorating them! The shortbread dough is rich and buttery with very little else but chocolate and walnuts, making for a simple (kid-friendly!) yet delectable treat.
And you can never go wrong with the reliable Christmas cookie. The best ones come in our favorite traditional shapes, and these Ginger Walnut Cookies are amazing. Crisp and sweet with subtle bite of ginger, these are a great alternative to the classic sugar cookie. They are easy to shape, ice and decorate, too, so let your imaginations run wild!
This California Walnut and Apricot Rugelach is rich with a cream cheese pastry and filled with marmalade, ginger and cardamom. Anyone’s bubbeh would be impressed!
Entertainment for the Entire Family
What’s the holiday season without music and movies?
Give everyone a chance to make their own playlist of favorite holiday songs. Name each playlist according to their creator, and alternate playlists throughout the season so there’s a constant variety of musical choices.
Designate a day of the week throughout the season as your family’s special holiday film night. Choose your favorite films, get your comfy clothes on, heat some apple cider and pull out those warm, fluffy blankets. Don’t forget the snacks either! Pop some Popcorn Walnut Delight, complete with brown sugar, sea salt, walnuts and a dash of white balsamic vinegar, for a tangy, flavorful treat. Another option is this savory and sweet Spiced Walnut Trail Mix that combines pretzels, popcorn, dried fruit, chocolate chips and flavorful spiced walnuts. Either way, your family will devour the treat within the first 10 minutes of the movie.
Neighborhood Activities: Admiring Holiday Lights
Use this time to fully embrace the holiday season in your own neighborhood. Take a drive around to look at Christmas lights and decorations. You could even make it a competition! Snap pictures, keep notes and come prepared with a fun homemade award to leave your neighbor for a job well done on their display.
Bring your special holiday playlists and cover some Christmas carols. Be sure to keep warm and have some hot chocolate or coffee in hand, and wave to your neighbors from a safe distance as you sing them a carol from the edge of the drive. You will bring a smile to everyone you have not seen in your neighborhood for a while.
Although the holiday season will look a little different this year, with a little creativity and some help from California walnuts, you can make a memorable experience for your whole family — and start some new traditions.
